Interchangeable component recorder



April 16, 1957 I M/ALDEN INTERCHANGEABLE COMPONENT RECORDER 2 Sheets-Sheet l fillJQ/ZZOI" 771528011 flZo/erz fZZZ J:

Filed Jan. 4, 1954 April 16, 1957 M. ALDEN INTERCHANGEABLE COMPONENT RECORDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 4. 1954 llzl/enior 7/Zz'ZZ0Iz fZZQe/z 9 WM MM W INTERCHANGEABLE COMPONENT RECORDER Milton Alden, Needham, Mass. Application January 4, 1954, Serial No. 401,890

9 Claims. (Cl. 346-445) This invention relates to recorders for marking signals on a moving web of paper, and has for its broad object to provide apparatus adaptable to the various different marking and web feeding components used in different recording systems.

By way of example a paper web may be marked by pressure, heat or electric current as well as by ink. The marking component may be a stationary stylus, a scanning stylus moving transversely of the feeding direction of the web or a helical strip carried by a rotating drum. Where rolls are used for drawing the web past the marking component they may be relatively large or small depending of the speed at which it is desired to mark the record. In the case of moist electrolytic paper, it is desirable not only to treat the web as by passing a mark ing current through it, but also to smooth and dry it after marking.

In order to advance the recorder art it is desirable to develop recorders which combine the advantages of the various feeding and web treating systems mentioned above. Hitherto, however, it has been necessary individually to design and construct each recorder embodying a particular combination and therefore experimentation with other combinations has been hindered.

Accordingly, a further object of the present invention is to provide recording apparatus in which the various components of different systems may be readily substituted with the web treating and feeding components in proper operative relation.

According to the present invention the web treating and feed components are substantially tangent to a recording plane through which the veb is fed and the apparatus comprises the combination of a frame having spaced coplanar surfaces, insert brackets or like members extending between the said surfaces for supporting the treating and feed'components respectively between the surfaces, each of the insert members having spaced face portions abutting said surfaces respectively, and means detachably securing the insert members to the frame, the aforesaid coplanar surfaces defining a reference plane parallel to the recording plane so that insert members supporting different components may be interchangeably located relative to the reference plane thereby locating the different components in proper relation to the recording plane. By web treating components is meant marking, smoothing, drying and like recorder components which act on the web during the recording process. Preferably there are a pair of opposed web treating components and a pair of opposed web feed components, in which case the insert brackets or members support one component of each pair. h iore specifically the frame may comprise a box having side walls with flanges which form the afore said coplanar surfaces and a cover carries one component of each pair, the cover being pivoted to the frame by a hinge extending from the aforesaid reference plane whereby the cover and its components are attached in parallel relation to the recording plane.

In a further aspect the frame may have a second ref- 2,789,029 Patented Apr. 16, 1957 erence plane, also parallel to the recording plane, and a support carrying connectors interfitting with connectors on the component carrying inserts may be located by the second reference plane to insure proper fitting of the connectors.

For the purpose of illustration a typical embodiment of the invention is shown in the attached drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of a web drawing component;

Figs. 3 and 4, respectively, are side and end sections of the apparatus; and

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of a connector support.

As shown in Fig. l the recording apparatus comprises a box frame 1 to which a cover 2 is pivoted by hinges 3. In the box frame 1 are a lower feed bracket 4, carrying a feed roll 5, a helix bracket 6, carrying a drum 7 on which is secured a helical electrode 8 and a supply bracket 9, carrying a roll it? of electrolytic paper. In Fig. 2 is shown a heater bracket 11 carrying a dryer pad 12, the bracket and dryer being designed to fit between the lower feed bracket 4 and the helix bracket 6. Attached to the cover is an idler roll 13 disposed to mate with the feed roll 5 when the cover 2 is closed. A loop electrode 14 is supported by pulleys 16 on a flexible plate 17. The plate 17 is detachably clamped between a spring det nt 15 and the top wall 21 of the cover 2. The loop electrode 14 has an effective recording edge 15 which cooperates with the helical electrode 8 when the cover is closed to mark on the paper it). The paper 10 is fed between the helical electrode 8 and loop electrode portion 15, and between the idl r roll 13 and the feed roll 5. Extending from the feed roll 5 and the helix drum 7 are shafts 51 and '71 respectively connected to drive mechanisms (not shown) for rotating the drum and roll. As the paper is fed by rotation of the roll 5 the helical electrode 8 effectively scans alon the effective edge 15 of the loop electrode 14. An electrical signal applied across the loop and helical electrode by connections not shown causes an electrical current to pass through the paper 10 and produce record marks on the paper.

The box frame 1 comprises a bottom wall 31, end walls 32 and 33 and side walls 34 and 35. Extending at right angles from the side walls 34 and 35 and the end wall 32 are flanges 36, 37 and 38 respectively. The upper surface of each of these flanges lies in a common horizontal plane AA, termed herein the reference plane. The brackets 4, 6, 9 and 11 have under surfaces 4a, 6a, 9a and 11a respectively which rest on the flange surfaces. As shown in 3 and 4 the feed roll 5, the dryer pad 12 and the helical electrode 8 extend upwardly from their respective brackets substantially into tangency with a recording plane BB through which the paper 10 is drawn, the recording plane B being parallel to the reference plane A-A.

The feed bracket has two vertical slots 91 receiving the spindle 92 which supports the paper roll 10. The helix bracket 6 has a U-shaped member 61 carrying journals 62 for the shaft 71 of the drum or cylinder 7. Flanges 63 having underfaces ea extend laterally from the U-shaped member 51. Resting on the flanges 63 is an upper plate 64 carrying adjustable stop pieces 65. The stop pieces 65 may be raised and lowered by means of adjusting screws 66 and serve to engage the effective edge 15 of the loop electrode 14. Because the electrode 14 is mounted on the flexible plate 17, the plate 17 yields when the effective edge 15 engages the stop pieces 65 and thereby holds the efiective edge 15 substantially parallel to the recording plane. The helical electrode 8 is secured at its ends to hooks 73 on the drum 7 and is supported around the drum 7 on a flexible rubber strip 81. Since the helical electrode 8 is intended to press the paper 10 against the effective edge of the electrode 14 with a slight force, the stops 65 are adjusted so that the rubber strip 81 is slightly compressed when the cover 2 is closed and the loop electrode 14 presses the paper 10 against the helical electrode 8. Thus the stops and helix are located so that they are substantially tangent to the recording plane B-B.

Similarly the heating pad 12 on the bracket 11 extends substantially tangent to the recording plane or slightly above the recording plane B-B. The pad 12 is heated by current applied through leads 11b and treats the moist paper web by smoothing and drying it after it has been marked by the electrodes.

The drive roll bracket 4 has downwardly extending plates 41 to which the shaft 51 of the drive roll 5 is supported in any suitable manner.

Each of the above described brackets 6, 9 and 11 is secured with its under faces in contact with the reference plane formed by the flanges 35, 36 by cap screws 50. Should it be desired to substitute various types of feed roll, heater bar, helix or paper roll support, the cap screws are removed and the brackets withdrawn from the box frame 1 and one or more brackets carrying substitute or alternative components are sated on the reference plane AA, thus insuring that the component carried by the bracket is located in proper relation to the recording plane B-B. Similarly the insert plate 17 carrying the loop electrode 14 with its effective recording edge 15 may be removed and other types of electrodes substituted with the assurance that the stops 55 on the helix bracket 5 will accurately locate the effective edge of the new electrode in proper relation to the recording plane.

According to a further aspect of the invention the bottom wall 31 of the box frame defines a second reference plane C-C parallel to the recording plane B-B and the first reference plane AA. A folded, channel shaped support 162 is inserted in the frame through a rectangular opening 103 in the back wall 33 so that the folded portion 184 of the channel rests on the bottom wall 31 and extends from the back wall 33 to the front wall 32. The edges of the opening 103 engage one end of the channel 102 while a spring detent 106 engages the other end. The channel has an elongate internal groove along one side parallel to the fold 104.

As shown in Fig. 5 the channel is adapted to support a plurality of female connectors 110 having bosses or I tongues 111 protruding from one side with the tongues fitting in the groove 1d). The connectors are first supplied with lead wires 11c, and are then slidingly inserted in the channel 1&2 with their bosses 111 engaged in the groove 167. Spacer blocks 112, also having tongues 111, are inserted in the channel to hold the female connectors at desired spacing lengthwise of the channel. The lead wires 11c are supported within the fold 194 and guided out the back wall opening 193. Thus the connectors, leads and channel form a readily detachable unit.

Carried on one or more of the component brackets 4, 6, 9 and 11 are male connectors 115 adapted to mate with the female connectors 110. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the male connectors are secured by rivets 116 at equal distances from the under surfaces 11a and 6a of the drier bracket 11 and helix bracket 6 so that they are parallel to the reference planes AA and CC, and thus insuring proper interfitting with the female connectors. The drier connector is riveted to a vertical arm 12a depending from the plate 11. To the male connectors are attached the lead wires 11b from the drier pad 12 and the helix wire 8, the connection to the helix wire being made through brushes (not shown) in the journal 62 and the other connection being grounded to the bracket 6.

From the foregoing dmcription it can be seen that ready interchangeability of the component brackets or the connector support is afforded with the assurance that substituted components or connectors will be in proper position. This assurance is made possible by locating the components and connectors in predetermined relation to the surfaces or portions which abut the reference planes defined by the box frame.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. in apparatus for recording on a web including a web treating component and a Web feed component for feeding the web along a recording plane in contact with said treating component, the combination of a frame having spaced coplanar surfaces, insert members extending between said surfaces for supporting said components respectively therebetween, each of said insert members having spaced face portions abutting said surfaces respectively and means on said insert members respectively for holding the aforesaid components in predetermined relation to said face portions, and means detachably securing said insert members to said frame, said spaced coplanar surfaces defining a reference plane parallel to said recording plane, whereby insert members supporting different components may be interchangeably located relative to the reference plane thereby to locate different components in proper relation to the recording plane.

2. In apparatus for recording on a web including a web marking component and a web feed component for feeding the web along a recording plane in contact with said marking component, the combination of a frame having spaced coplanar surfaces, insert members extending between said surfaces for supporting said components respectively therebetween, each of said insert members having spaced face portions abutting said surfaces respectively and means on said insert members respectively for holding the aforesaid components in predetermined relation to said face portions, and means detachably securing said insert members to said frame, said spaced coplanar surfaces defining a reference plane parallel to said recording plane whereby insert members supporting different components may be interchangeably located relative to the reference plane thereby to locate different components in proper relation to the recording plane.

3. In apparatus for recording on a web including opposed web treating components and opposed web feed components for feeding the web along a recording plane in contact with said treating components, the combination of a frame having spaced coplanar surfaces, insert members extending between said surfaces for supporting one of said treating components and one of said feed components respectively therebetween, each of said insert members having spaced face portions abutting said surfaces respectively and means on said insert members respectively for holding the aforesaid components in predetermined relation to said face portions, and means detachably securing said insert members to said frame, said spaced coplanar surfaces defining a reference plane parallel to said recording plane whereby insert members supporting different components may be interchangeably located relative to the reference plane thereby to locate different components in proper relation to the recording plane.

4, in apparatus for recording on a web including a plurality of web treating components and opposed web feed components for feeding the web along a recording plane in contact with said treating component, the combination of a frame having spaced coplanar surfaces, insert members extending between said surfaces for supporting said components respectively therebetween, each of said insert members having spaced face portions abutting said surfaces respectively and means on said insert members respectively for holding the aforesaid components in predetermined relation to said face portions, and

means detachably securing said insert members to said frame, said spaced coplanar surfaces defining a reference plane parallel to said recording plane whereby insert members supporting different components may be interchangeably located relative to the reference plane thereby to locate different components in a line and substantially tangent to the recording plane.

5. In apparatus for recording on a web including a pair of opposed web marking components and a pair of opposed web feed components for feeding the web along a path through a recording plane between said marking components, the combination of a frame having spaced coplanar surfaces along each side of said path, insert brackets extending between said surfaces for supporting one component of each pair respectively between said surfaces, each of said insert brackets having spaced face portions abutting said surfaces respectively and means on said brackets respectively for holding the aforesaid components in predetermined relation to said face portions, and means detachably securing said insert members to said frame, said spaced coplanar surfaces defining a reference plane parallel to said recording plane whereby insert brackets supporting different marking and feeding components may be interchangeably located relative to the reference plane thereby to locate different components in proper relation to the recording plane.

6. In apparatus for recording on a strip of electrolytic paper including a pair of opposed electrolytic marking components, one of which is rotary and a pair of opposed feed components, one of which is rotary, for feeding the paper along a path through a recording plane between the components of each pair, the combination of a box having side walls with flanges forming coplanar surfaces along two sides and one end of the box, a cover carrying one component of each pair, a hinge for pivoting said cover to said box, said hinge including pivot means and an abutment engaging said surfaces and adapted to hold said pivot means in predetermined relation to said coplanar surfaces, insert brackets extending between the side wall flanges for supporting the other component of each paper between said side walls, each of said brackets having spaced face portions abutting said side wall flanges and means on said brackets respectively for holding the aforesaid components in predetermined relation to said face portions, and means detachably securing said brackets to said flanges, said surfaces of said flanges defining a reference plane parallel to said recording plane, said hinge being attached to said end flange in said reference plane to hinge the cover in parallel relation to the recording plane, and each of said brackets being adapted to support different components and being positioned by said reference plane to hold said different components in proper relation to the recording plane.

7. In apparatus for recording on a web including a web treating component and a web feed component for feeding the web along a recording plane in contact with said treating component, the combination of a frame having spaced coplanar surfaces, insert members extending between said surfaces for supporting said components respectively therebetween, each of said insert members having spaced face portions abutting said surfaces respectively, means detachably securing said insert members to said frame, said spaced coplanar surfaces defining a reference plane parallel to said recording plane, whereby insert members supporting different components may be interchangeably located relative to the reference plane thereby to locate different components in proper relation to the recording plane, means on the frame defining a second reference plane parallel to the recording plane, a connector on at least two of said insert members facing toward said second plane and equally spaced from the respective face portions on their respective insert members, a detachable support having a portion abutting said second plane, connectors mating with the aforesaid connectors, and means on said support for holding said connectors parallel to the second reference plane, thereby to locate said connectors in mating relation when the insert members and support abut the first and second reference planes respectively.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said support is an elongate channel adapted slidingly to receive said mating connectors.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein each of said connectors and said support having an interfitting tongue and groove holding said connector in predetermined spaced relation to said support portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,209,409 Long July 30, 1940 2,575,959 Hogan Nov. 20, 1951 2,621,999 Alden Dec. 16, 1952 

